This book is about placing sexual orientation politics within feminist theorizing. It is also about defining the central political issues confronting lesbian and gay men. It brings the study of ...
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This book is about placing sexual orientation politics within feminist theorizing. It is also about defining the central political issues confronting lesbian and gay men. It brings the study of lesbians from the margins of feminist theory to the centre by critiquing the analytic frameworks employed within feminist theory that render invisible the difference of lesbians from heterosexual women. The basic features of lesbian and gay subordination are also addressed by exploring the differences between heterosexual dominance and gender and race relations. Throughout the book, the aim is to re‐centre lesbian and gay politics away from concern with sexual regulations and towards concern with the displacement of gays and lesbians from the public sphere of visible citizenship and from the private sphere of romance, marriage, and family.Less

Feminism, the Family, and the Politics of the Closet : Lesbian and Gay Displacement

Cheshire Calhoun

Published in print: 2002-09-12

This book is about placing sexual orientation politics within feminist theorizing. It is also about defining the central political issues confronting lesbian and gay men. It brings the study of lesbians from the margins of feminist theory to the centre by critiquing the analytic frameworks employed within feminist theory that render invisible the difference of lesbians from heterosexual women. The basic features of lesbian and gay subordination are also addressed by exploring the differences between heterosexual dominance and gender and race relations. Throughout the book, the aim is to re‐centre lesbian and gay politics away from concern with sexual regulations and towards concern with the displacement of gays and lesbians from the public sphere of visible citizenship and from the private sphere of romance, marriage, and family.

The first two sections of this chapter summarize feminist and lesbian critiques of the family, marriage, and motherhood. The third section critiques lesbian‐feminist reasons for eschewing a political ...
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The first two sections of this chapter summarize feminist and lesbian critiques of the family, marriage, and motherhood. The third section critiques lesbian‐feminist reasons for eschewing a political agenda that endorses family, marriage, and mothering. The fourth section traces the historical construction of lesbians and gays as outlaws to the family. In the concluding section, it is argued that making the family a political priority is not, as sometimes argued, a conservative move.Less

Constructing Lesbians and Gay Men as Family's Outlaws

Cheshire Calhoun

Published in print: 2002-09-12

The first two sections of this chapter summarize feminist and lesbian critiques of the family, marriage, and motherhood. The third section critiques lesbian‐feminist reasons for eschewing a political agenda that endorses family, marriage, and mothering. The fourth section traces the historical construction of lesbians and gays as outlaws to the family. In the concluding section, it is argued that making the family a political priority is not, as sometimes argued, a conservative move.

This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for future chapters by suggesting that feminist theorizing must make a methodological shift from thinking that heterosexism is just a by‐product of ...
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This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for future chapters by suggesting that feminist theorizing must make a methodological shift from thinking that heterosexism is just a by‐product of sexism, to thinking of lesbian and gay subordination as a separate axis of oppression that intersects with gender, race, and class axes of oppression. It also introduces the two central features of lesbian and gay subordination. The first of these is that the principal damaging effect of a heterosexist system is that it displaces lesbians and gays from both the public and private spheres of civil society so that they have no legitimated social location. The second is that the principal ideologies rationalizing lesbian and gay displacement are that there are only two natural and normal sexes/genders; that lesbian and gay sexuality is excessive, compulsive, and disconnected from romantic love; and that, for a variety of reasons, lesbians and gays are unfitted for marital and family life. The last part of the chapter makes general remarks on how the book fits into the essentialist–constructionist controversy.Less

Introduction: Centering Sexual Orientation Politics

Cheshire Calhoun

Published in print: 2002-09-12

This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for future chapters by suggesting that feminist theorizing must make a methodological shift from thinking that heterosexism is just a by‐product of sexism, to thinking of lesbian and gay subordination as a separate axis of oppression that intersects with gender, race, and class axes of oppression. It also introduces the two central features of lesbian and gay subordination. The first of these is that the principal damaging effect of a heterosexist system is that it displaces lesbians and gays from both the public and private spheres of civil society so that they have no legitimated social location. The second is that the principal ideologies rationalizing lesbian and gay displacement are that there are only two natural and normal sexes/genders; that lesbian and gay sexuality is excessive, compulsive, and disconnected from romantic love; and that, for a variety of reasons, lesbians and gays are unfitted for marital and family life. The last part of the chapter makes general remarks on how the book fits into the essentialist–constructionist controversy.

The positive arguments for same‐sex marriage are discussed. The first argument links marriage rights to a normative ideal of long‐term, monogamous, sexually faithful intimacy, and defends marriage ...
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The positive arguments for same‐sex marriage are discussed. The first argument links marriage rights to a normative ideal of long‐term, monogamous, sexually faithful intimacy, and defends marriage rights based on the value of that ideal. The second argument presses the connection between homophobia and sexism, stressing the way that securing same‐sex marriage rights might reduce sexism. The third argument links the denial of marriage rights to the cultural construction of gay men and lesbians as outsiders to the family, who are for that reason defective citizens. In pursuing this third line of argument, the US House and Senate arguments supporting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 are addressed.Less

Defending Marriage

Cheshire Calhoun

Published in print: 2002-09-12

The positive arguments for same‐sex marriage are discussed. The first argument links marriage rights to a normative ideal of long‐term, monogamous, sexually faithful intimacy, and defends marriage rights based on the value of that ideal. The second argument presses the connection between homophobia and sexism, stressing the way that securing same‐sex marriage rights might reduce sexism. The third argument links the denial of marriage rights to the cultural construction of gay men and lesbians as outsiders to the family, who are for that reason defective citizens. In pursuing this third line of argument, the US House and Senate arguments supporting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 are addressed.

This chapter turns to the streets of everyday life, and more specifically to Chicago, to determine how the national debate over gayborhoods looks, feels, and sounds to people on the ground. Chicago ...
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This chapter turns to the streets of everyday life, and more specifically to Chicago, to determine how the national debate over gayborhoods looks, feels, and sounds to people on the ground. Chicago has two active gayborhoods: Boystown and Andersonville. The chapter examines how Chicago residents make sense of living in a city with multiple gayborhoods, and whether they consider Boystown and Andersonville culturally equivalent, or whether they think about them as different from each other. To address these questions, the chapter considers the perspectives of 125 self-identified gay men, lesbians, and straight residents, business owners, government officials, representatives of nonprofit community organizations, realtors, developers, and various public figures. It also analyzes the hopes and fears of other residents—their banal concerns and their greatest ideals about the gayborhoods that they more simply call home.Less

The Happiest Ending

Amin Ghaziani

Published in print: 2014-08-10

This chapter turns to the streets of everyday life, and more specifically to Chicago, to determine how the national debate over gayborhoods looks, feels, and sounds to people on the ground. Chicago has two active gayborhoods: Boystown and Andersonville. The chapter examines how Chicago residents make sense of living in a city with multiple gayborhoods, and whether they consider Boystown and Andersonville culturally equivalent, or whether they think about them as different from each other. To address these questions, the chapter considers the perspectives of 125 self-identified gay men, lesbians, and straight residents, business owners, government officials, representatives of nonprofit community organizations, realtors, developers, and various public figures. It also analyzes the hopes and fears of other residents—their banal concerns and their greatest ideals about the gayborhoods that they more simply call home.

There are approximately seven million adult gay and bisexual men in the United States and 120 million adult gay and bisexual men globally. This book explores the cultural dimensions of AIDS among men ...
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There are approximately seven million adult gay and bisexual men in the United States and 120 million adult gay and bisexual men globally. This book explores the cultural dimensions of AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM). The traditional emphasis in HIV/AIDS research within gay communities has focused on sexual behavior and psychological issues. Yet to better understand the social and cultural dimensions of the disease, and to halt the spread of HIV infection, it is essential to recognize and understand the culture of MSM. Cultural anthropologists, unquestionably, are in a unique position to achieve this understanding. The editor has gathered a diverse group of experts to contribute to this collection, and the volume features a wealth of scholarly data unavailable elsewhere.Less

AIDS, Culture, and Gay Men

Published in print: 2010-03-01

There are approximately seven million adult gay and bisexual men in the United States and 120 million adult gay and bisexual men globally. This book explores the cultural dimensions of AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM). The traditional emphasis in HIV/AIDS research within gay communities has focused on sexual behavior and psychological issues. Yet to better understand the social and cultural dimensions of the disease, and to halt the spread of HIV infection, it is essential to recognize and understand the culture of MSM. Cultural anthropologists, unquestionably, are in a unique position to achieve this understanding. The editor has gathered a diverse group of experts to contribute to this collection, and the volume features a wealth of scholarly data unavailable elsewhere.

Most public health students, academicians, and practitioners readily recognize the association between racial/ethnic minority status and the disproportionate burden of preventable disease in the ...
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Most public health students, academicians, and practitioners readily recognize the association between racial/ethnic minority status and the disproportionate burden of preventable disease in the United States. However, much less attention has been directed toward health disparities that affect gay and bisexual men. Until recently, the relative invisibility of this group, homophobia, and a lack of empirical data have hampered attempts to identify and characterize health disparities in this population. This book represents a comprehensive effort to review and synthesize evidence of health disparities among gay and bisexual men. It examines the evidence documenting health disparities across a wide range of health problems including mental health, suicide, alcohol use, tobacco use, drug use, violent victimization (hate crimes and intimate partner violence), sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and HIV and AIDS. This book identifies individual and societal factors that contribute to these disparities and articulates how these “syndemics” or co-occurring and interacting epidemics may arise as a result of developmental experiences that are common to the lives of many gay and bisexual men in contemporary American society. Specific consideration is given to health care issues and the unique concerns and experiences of racial/ethnic minorities, younger men, and older men. Most important, this book identifies key directions for future research and articulates much-needed strategies for eliminating the multiple health disparities experienced by gay and bisexual men in the United States.Less

Unequal Opportunity : Health Disparities Affecting Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States

Published in print: 2007-12-06

Most public health students, academicians, and practitioners readily recognize the association between racial/ethnic minority status and the disproportionate burden of preventable disease in the United States. However, much less attention has been directed toward health disparities that affect gay and bisexual men. Until recently, the relative invisibility of this group, homophobia, and a lack of empirical data have hampered attempts to identify and characterize health disparities in this population. This book represents a comprehensive effort to review and synthesize evidence of health disparities among gay and bisexual men. It examines the evidence documenting health disparities across a wide range of health problems including mental health, suicide, alcohol use, tobacco use, drug use, violent victimization (hate crimes and intimate partner violence), sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and HIV and AIDS. This book identifies individual and societal factors that contribute to these disparities and articulates how these “syndemics” or co-occurring and interacting epidemics may arise as a result of developmental experiences that are common to the lives of many gay and bisexual men in contemporary American society. Specific consideration is given to health care issues and the unique concerns and experiences of racial/ethnic minorities, younger men, and older men. Most important, this book identifies key directions for future research and articulates much-needed strategies for eliminating the multiple health disparities experienced by gay and bisexual men in the United States.

Drawing on life-story interviews with forty-two gay men representing roughly four different historical cohorts, this chapter explores the meaning and experience of gay generativity through ...
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Drawing on life-story interviews with forty-two gay men representing roughly four different historical cohorts, this chapter explores the meaning and experience of gay generativity through intersecting narratives of personal-developmental and collective-historical time. These narratives reveal both cohort-specific shifts in gay men's time orientation and a more continuous pattern of historical change, with corresponding transformations in opportunities for making a generative contribution. The narratives also suggest a more dynamic intertwining of developmental and historical processes in the construction of the generative self. It is argued that that the men are engaged in an intergenerational “multilogue”—with members of the research team and, by proxy, with each other—that is rewriting the individual experience and collective meaning of generativity. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the future prospects for building a generative society and the potential contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to such a project.Less

Generativity and Time in Gay Men's Life Stories

Andrew J. Hostetler

Published in print: 2009-02-26

Drawing on life-story interviews with forty-two gay men representing roughly four different historical cohorts, this chapter explores the meaning and experience of gay generativity through intersecting narratives of personal-developmental and collective-historical time. These narratives reveal both cohort-specific shifts in gay men's time orientation and a more continuous pattern of historical change, with corresponding transformations in opportunities for making a generative contribution. The narratives also suggest a more dynamic intertwining of developmental and historical processes in the construction of the generative self. It is argued that that the men are engaged in an intergenerational “multilogue”—with members of the research team and, by proxy, with each other—that is rewriting the individual experience and collective meaning of generativity. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the future prospects for building a generative society and the potential contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to such a project.

HIV/AIDS data reveal nonrandom patterns that mirror ingrained patterns of racism, stigma, and discrimination that create multiple marginalities and vulnerabilities to morbidity and mortality related to larger psychosocial and health problems. Within the Latino U.S. community, gay men continue to carry the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. They account for over half of all AIDS cases among Latino males, a percentage that is higher in the Western United States, where Latino gay men represent 80–90% of all AIDS cases among Latino males. No sound policy or effective programs that address HIV/AIDS in Latino communities could be developed without taking into account the particular social and structural factors that place Latino gay men at risk. In this spirit, we offer a critical review of the research literature from the perspective of social, structural, and environmental forces that explain the disproportionate burden of HIV in this most affected subgroup of Latinos.Less

Inequality, Discrimination, and HIV Risk : A Review of Research on Latino Gay Men

Rafael M. DíazJorge SánchezKurt Schroeder

Published in print: 2012-07-03

HIV/AIDS data reveal nonrandom patterns that mirror ingrained patterns of racism, stigma, and discrimination that create multiple marginalities and vulnerabilities to morbidity and mortality related to larger psychosocial and health problems. Within the Latino U.S. community, gay men continue to carry the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. They account for over half of all AIDS cases among Latino males, a percentage that is higher in the Western United States, where Latino gay men represent 80–90% of all AIDS cases among Latino males. No sound policy or effective programs that address HIV/AIDS in Latino communities could be developed without taking into account the particular social and structural factors that place Latino gay men at risk. In this spirit, we offer a critical review of the research literature from the perspective of social, structural, and environmental forces that explain the disproportionate burden of HIV in this most affected subgroup of Latinos.

This chapter details the epidemiology of use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use among gay and bisexual men in the United States. The review highlights the history of use and ...
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This chapter details the epidemiology of use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use among gay and bisexual men in the United States. The review highlights the history of use and abuse of these drugs over the past quarter century and identifies where there are substantial health disparities regarding use of drugs and where the evidence suggests that gay and bisexual men may not use drugs differently than heterosexual men. The chapter also reviews available programs to address substance abuse issues among gay male communities and areas where the field might best move forward.Less

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use among Gay and Bisexual Men

David G. OstrowRon Stall

Published in print: 2007-12-06

This chapter details the epidemiology of use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use among gay and bisexual men in the United States. The review highlights the history of use and abuse of these drugs over the past quarter century and identifies where there are substantial health disparities regarding use of drugs and where the evidence suggests that gay and bisexual men may not use drugs differently than heterosexual men. The chapter also reviews available programs to address substance abuse issues among gay male communities and areas where the field might best move forward.

This chapter examines the role of the Internet in the sexual identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. These adolescents reported using a range of Internet applications (Web ...
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This chapter examines the role of the Internet in the sexual identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. These adolescents reported using a range of Internet applications (Web sites, discussion boards, IM, email, etc.) that provided them with varying degrees of anonymity and connection to others. A youth's comfort with and acceptance of his sexual identity often influenced both his use of the various Internet modalities and the degree to which he revealed personal information during these interactions. The participants' narratives revealed that their use of the Internet and its applications could be categorized into four increasing levels of connection with other people: (1) anonymous exploration, (2) casual posting, (3) online conversations, and (4) offline meetings.Less

The Role of the Internet in the Sexual Identity Development of Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents

Gary W. HarperDouglas BrucePedro SerranoOmar B. Jamil

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter examines the role of the Internet in the sexual identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. These adolescents reported using a range of Internet applications (Web sites, discussion boards, IM, email, etc.) that provided them with varying degrees of anonymity and connection to others. A youth's comfort with and acceptance of his sexual identity often influenced both his use of the various Internet modalities and the degree to which he revealed personal information during these interactions. The participants' narratives revealed that their use of the Internet and its applications could be categorized into four increasing levels of connection with other people: (1) anonymous exploration, (2) casual posting, (3) online conversations, and (4) offline meetings.

This chapter examines how three cohorts of Czech men who have sex with men represent their experiences through narrative. One cohort, born in the 1930s and 1940s, lived through the show trials of the ...
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This chapter examines how three cohorts of Czech men who have sex with men represent their experiences through narrative. One cohort, born in the 1930s and 1940s, lived through the show trials of the 1950s, and the liberalization and then repression following the Prague Spring in 1968. Another set, born in the 1950s, came of age during the period of socialist “normalization” in the 1970s. A third set, now young adults, were children or teens at the time of the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and have lived most of their lives in a relatively democratic capitalist society open to the exchange of goods and ideas with the West.Less

Stories from the Second World : Narratives of Sexual Identity in the Czech Republic Across Three Generations of Men Who Have Sex with Men

Timothy McCajor Hall

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter examines how three cohorts of Czech men who have sex with men represent their experiences through narrative. One cohort, born in the 1930s and 1940s, lived through the show trials of the 1950s, and the liberalization and then repression following the Prague Spring in 1968. Another set, born in the 1950s, came of age during the period of socialist “normalization” in the 1970s. A third set, now young adults, were children or teens at the time of the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and have lived most of their lives in a relatively democratic capitalist society open to the exchange of goods and ideas with the West.

This chapter considers existing narrative accounts and family research, together with the author's own experience (socially located as a White, upper-middle class gay man) of adopting an infant girl ...
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This chapter considers existing narrative accounts and family research, together with the author's own experience (socially located as a White, upper-middle class gay man) of adopting an infant girl with his partner in 2004. In providing and reviewing such first-person narrative experience and observations, the chapter seeks to return to a focus on the family life experiences of gay men who choose to become fathers. The first section reviews internal and external obstacles that gay men may face as they make the decision to become parents. The second section describes the vicissitudes of adjustment to parenthood under the hegemonic shadow of American culture's master narrative that equates parenthood with heterosexuality. The third section addresses changes in gay fathers' relationship to their gay male social context and their own evolving gay identity.Less

Focus on the Family : The Psychosocial Context of Gay Men Choosing Fatherhood

David deBoer

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter considers existing narrative accounts and family research, together with the author's own experience (socially located as a White, upper-middle class gay man) of adopting an infant girl with his partner in 2004. In providing and reviewing such first-person narrative experience and observations, the chapter seeks to return to a focus on the family life experiences of gay men who choose to become fathers. The first section reviews internal and external obstacles that gay men may face as they make the decision to become parents. The second section describes the vicissitudes of adjustment to parenthood under the hegemonic shadow of American culture's master narrative that equates parenthood with heterosexuality. The third section addresses changes in gay fathers' relationship to their gay male social context and their own evolving gay identity.

This chapter reviews seminal research and theory regarding gay men’s identities, their desires, and their sexual behavior. First, it discusses the emergence of the gay identity and describes how ...
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This chapter reviews seminal research and theory regarding gay men’s identities, their desires, and their sexual behavior. First, it discusses the emergence of the gay identity and describes how meanings of the “gay community” have changed in response to fluid social/political climates, HIV, and technology. Next, it considers the role of desire in gay men’s sexual partnerships and behaviors, focusing on masculinity, penis size, and semen/ejaculation. Third, it elaborates on the array of sexual behaviors in which gay men engage and describes the various types of relationships that are common within gay partnerships. The chapter concludes by positing future directions for research with gay men, focusing on the measurement of sexual orientation and the role that social policy can play in improving the lives of gay men.Less

Gay Male Identities, Desires, and Sexual Behaviors

Jeffrey T. ParsonsChristian Grov

Published in print: 2012-10-29

This chapter reviews seminal research and theory regarding gay men’s identities, their desires, and their sexual behavior. First, it discusses the emergence of the gay identity and describes how meanings of the “gay community” have changed in response to fluid social/political climates, HIV, and technology. Next, it considers the role of desire in gay men’s sexual partnerships and behaviors, focusing on masculinity, penis size, and semen/ejaculation. Third, it elaborates on the array of sexual behaviors in which gay men engage and describes the various types of relationships that are common within gay partnerships. The chapter concludes by positing future directions for research with gay men, focusing on the measurement of sexual orientation and the role that social policy can play in improving the lives of gay men.

This chapter provides a review of the data regarding the prevalence and correlates of violent victimization among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It specifically focuses on the ...
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This chapter provides a review of the data regarding the prevalence and correlates of violent victimization among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It specifically focuses on the well-recognized problem of anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and the much less studied and discussed problem of intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples. It shows that gay and bisexual men are at increased risk for violent victimization due to their sexual orientation and of intimate partner violence, compared to heterosexual men. The strengths and limitations of the available data are considered and future directions for research are suggested. The chapter also describes governmental and community-based efforts that have been taken to reduce anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples.Less

Sexual Orientation and Violent Victimization: Hate Crimes and Intimate Partner Violence among Gay and Bisexual Males in the United States

Gregory M. HerekCharles Sims

Published in print: 2007-12-06

This chapter provides a review of the data regarding the prevalence and correlates of violent victimization among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It specifically focuses on the well-recognized problem of anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and the much less studied and discussed problem of intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples. It shows that gay and bisexual men are at increased risk for violent victimization due to their sexual orientation and of intimate partner violence, compared to heterosexual men. The strengths and limitations of the available data are considered and future directions for research are suggested. The chapter also describes governmental and community-based efforts that have been taken to reduce anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples.

This chapter examines the data regarding the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicide risk among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It begins by examining the methodological ...
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This chapter examines the data regarding the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicide risk among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It begins by examining the methodological underpinnings of research on gay and bisexual men's health and mental health. It then provides an in-depth review of the evidence for health disparities affecting gay and bisexual men for a range of psychiatric disorders including depression and other affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicide symptoms. The chapter discusses the role of social context as one explanation for the increased prevalence of mental health disorders among gay and bisexual men, including the effects of homophobia and discrimination. It ends with recommendations for future research.Less

Prevalence of Primary Mental Health Morbidity and Suicide Symptoms among Gay and Bisexual Men

Susan D. CochranVickie M. Mays

Published in print: 2007-12-06

This chapter examines the data regarding the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicide risk among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It begins by examining the methodological underpinnings of research on gay and bisexual men's health and mental health. It then provides an in-depth review of the evidence for health disparities affecting gay and bisexual men for a range of psychiatric disorders including depression and other affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicide symptoms. The chapter discusses the role of social context as one explanation for the increased prevalence of mental health disorders among gay and bisexual men, including the effects of homophobia and discrimination. It ends with recommendations for future research.

This chapter explores some of the complex challenges that are part of the lives of gay men in the early 21st century. It considers two potential experiences in the gay male life course that remain ...
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This chapter explores some of the complex challenges that are part of the lives of gay men in the early 21st century. It considers two potential experiences in the gay male life course that remain poorly understood. First it considers the challenges facing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive gay men in preventing the forward transmission of HIV and establishing positive sex lives. Second, it looks at the experience of relationship dissolution for gay men. The chapter seeks to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of these potential experiences of the gay male life course through the use of narrative methods. Finally, it presents inferences about gay narratives, identity, and the life course in the current century.Less

Postcards from the Edge : Narratives of Sex and Relationship Breakdown Among Gay Men

Damien RidgeRebecca Wright

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter explores some of the complex challenges that are part of the lives of gay men in the early 21st century. It considers two potential experiences in the gay male life course that remain poorly understood. First it considers the challenges facing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive gay men in preventing the forward transmission of HIV and establishing positive sex lives. Second, it looks at the experience of relationship dissolution for gay men. The chapter seeks to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of these potential experiences of the gay male life course through the use of narrative methods. Finally, it presents inferences about gay narratives, identity, and the life course in the current century.

This chapter describes how gay men attempt to locate themselves in an environment in which change, spectacle, and the search for altered states of being are the main constants. It draws on extensive ...
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This chapter describes how gay men attempt to locate themselves in an environment in which change, spectacle, and the search for altered states of being are the main constants. It draws on extensive qualitative data collected over a decade to trace patterns in the narratives that gay men use to describe their experiences as they absorb and sometimes separate from the sex-drug pleasure dome that Miami is often seen to represent. The chapter presents the story of how men from diverse backgrounds integrate the sense of themselves as developed throughout childhood and adolescence (“Kansas”) into this urban space that for most of them feels like “Oz”.Less

Between Kansas and Oz : Drugs, Sex, and the Search for Gay Identity in the Fast Lane

Steven P. Kurtz

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter describes how gay men attempt to locate themselves in an environment in which change, spectacle, and the search for altered states of being are the main constants. It draws on extensive qualitative data collected over a decade to trace patterns in the narratives that gay men use to describe their experiences as they absorb and sometimes separate from the sex-drug pleasure dome that Miami is often seen to represent. The chapter presents the story of how men from diverse backgrounds integrate the sense of themselves as developed throughout childhood and adolescence (“Kansas”) into this urban space that for most of them feels like “Oz”.

This chapter discusses the impact of the American “boy code” from the boy books of the 19th century to the present time on the current representations of boyhood in the accounts of men ...
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This chapter discusses the impact of the American “boy code” from the boy books of the 19th century to the present time on the current representations of boyhood in the accounts of men self-identifying as gay. These men represent four postwar generation-cohorts: (1) men who came of age in the 1960s, a time of nascent activism; (2) men who came of age in the 1970s with the emergence of the gay rights movement; (3) men who came of age in the 1980s with the appearance of the AIDS pandemic; and (4) men who came of age in the 1990s, when same-sex desire had become a recognized lifeway among urban men.Less

In the Beginning : American Boyhood and the Life Stories of Gay Men

Bertram J. Cohler

Published in print: 2009-02-26

This chapter discusses the impact of the American “boy code” from the boy books of the 19th century to the present time on the current representations of boyhood in the accounts of men self-identifying as gay. These men represent four postwar generation-cohorts: (1) men who came of age in the 1960s, a time of nascent activism; (2) men who came of age in the 1970s with the emergence of the gay rights movement; (3) men who came of age in the 1980s with the appearance of the AIDS pandemic; and (4) men who came of age in the 1990s, when same-sex desire had become a recognized lifeway among urban men.

This chapter evaluates in the American context communities intentionally fashioned by lesbians and gay men in their effort to build settings for themselves. In most cases, lesbians, gay men, and ...
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This chapter evaluates in the American context communities intentionally fashioned by lesbians and gay men in their effort to build settings for themselves. In most cases, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people are fuelled by their oppressed status and invisibleness to society when creating a “community”. Moreover, the chapter documents the primary motivation and method by which lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals have built their communities. Despite their formation and potential, heterosexual customs inhibit these communities to flourish and because of this, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals are marginalized and stripped of basic civil rights. Rich historical accounts of lesbian and gay communities, which can provide more complete information regarding how the communities are formed, are not passed through the generations.Less

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Communities

Linda D. Garnets

Published in print: 1995-04-27

This chapter evaluates in the American context communities intentionally fashioned by lesbians and gay men in their effort to build settings for themselves. In most cases, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people are fuelled by their oppressed status and invisibleness to society when creating a “community”. Moreover, the chapter documents the primary motivation and method by which lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals have built their communities. Despite their formation and potential, heterosexual customs inhibit these communities to flourish and because of this, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals are marginalized and stripped of basic civil rights. Rich historical accounts of lesbian and gay communities, which can provide more complete information regarding how the communities are formed, are not passed through the generations.